This is a 3-month internship (with a chance for extension) at a leader in print-on-demand and commercial printing. This role is ideal for a student or recent graduate who wants to see their designs move from the computer screen to physical, printed products.
The Role at a Glance
- Type: 3-Month Contract (Internship/Cadetship).
- Location: Multiple locations across Johannesburg.
- Focus: Commercial printing, brand development, and print-on-demand.
- Final Deadline: 22 February 2026.
What They Are Looking For
- Education: Currently studying or recently graduated in Graphic Design.
- Technical Skills: Basic Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
- Asset: A strong creative portfolio is the most important part of your application.
- Mindset: Willingness to handle a fast-paced “production” environment (where things get printed quickly).
Duties & Responsibilities
You will be involved in the full lifecycle of a design project:
- Creation: Designing for both digital and print media.
- DTP (Desk Top Publishing): Preparing “final artwork” for print (setting margins, bleed, and color profiles).
- Collaboration: Working with the production team to make sure the physical print looks like the digital file.
- Brand Integrity: Ensuring all designs follow specific client brand guidelines.
Top 5 Potential Interview Questions
Since this role is in a Print-on-Demand environment, expect questions about technical accuracy:
- “Can you explain the difference between RGB and CMYK?”
- Tip: This is a classic print question. RGB is for screens (Digital); CMYK is for ink (Print). Mentioning that you design in CMYK for print shows you are “production-ready.”
- “What is your process for preparing a file for print?”
- Tip: Mention checking the DPI (300 is standard), adding bleed, and outlining fonts so they don’t disappear on another computer.
- “Tell us about a piece in your portfolio. What was the brief and how did you solve it?”
- Tip: Don’t just say it “looks nice.” Explain the reason behind the colors and layout you chose.
- “How do you handle a situation where a client gives you negative feedback on a design you love?”
- Tip: This tests your “constructive feedback” requirement. Focus on being professional, not taking it personally, and finding a middle ground that meets the client’s goal.
- “This is a fast-paced environment. How do you manage your time when you have three different designs due on the same day?”
- Tip: Talk about prioritizing based on deadlines and keeping a “to-do” list.
Career Advice for Design Interns
- The Portfolio is Your CV: Ensure your portfolio includes at least one print-specific project (e.g., a brochure, business card, or poster) to show you understand layouts.
- Focus on “Bleed” and “Safe Zones”: Since they do commercial printing, understanding how paper is cut is vital.
This technical knowledge will set you apart from designers who only do social media graphics.
- Be a “Sponge”: In a production house, the printers (the people running the machines) often know more about design limitations than the designers. Talk to them and learn what makes a design “unprintable.”
- Follow Up: The post says if you don’t hear back in two weeks, consider it unsuccessful. If you really want this, send a polite follow-up email 7 days after applying to confirm they received your portfolio link.
How to Apply: Submit your CV and Portfolio to Marvel Placement Consultants
Final Submission: 22 February 2026